JAMES HOOK believes Wales’ Six Nations campaign is likely to be judged on the outcome of their Millennium Stadium showdown against Ireland.

Hook has been restored to the fly-half role for a game Wales must win to keep alive their title hopes.

Ireland are in the same boat, having also claimed two victories out of three, with Wales now back on home soil following away-day successes against Scotland and Italy.

“The last two wins were good for us, but this is probably the game we will be judged on,” said Hook, who reclaims the number 10 shirt off 98 times-capped Stephen Jones after starting at outside centre in Rome last time out.

“It’s a massive test, and we need to win. It is as simple as that.

“If we lose, it might be judged as a poor Six Nations for us, so we are just focusing on what is a huge game. If we can beat Ireland, it’s important for us moving forward as a team.

“There is a lot more to come from us, I think we have been playing in bursts, but we have won the last two games. At the end of the day, it’s the result that counts, and it will be the same on Saturday.”

Jones is on the bench, with fit-again Scarlets centre Jonathan Davies returning in midfield alongside Jamie Roberts and Cardiff Blues wing Leigh Halfpenny recalled instead of an unlucky Morgan Stoddart, a try-scorer against England and Italy.

Wales coach Warren Gatland has otherwise retained the team that triumphed at Stadio Flaminio.

And that means scrum-half Mike Phillips and No8 Ryan Jones both win their 50th caps, although Jones has been troubled by a tight calf muscle and did not train in yesterday’s session.

Versatile Hook won plaudits for the way he piloted Wales to victory over Scotland from fly-half three weeks ago, before Davies’ hamstring injury meant an unavoidable midfield switch.

He added: “I am glad to be back in the (10) jersey. I am thankful I have got a chance to try to build something again.

“It’s just about getting my hands on the ball. At full-back or outside centre you don’t touch it as much, and then when you do, you maybe try to force it and make things happen.

“At 10, you touch the ball so many times in a game that things hopefully come naturally.

“There is always pressure, and Ireland will be a totally different challenge to Scotland and Italy – they have so much experience.”

Gatland said: “We thought James did quite well against Scotland, and it’s a good chance for him to play there again. We want to give him another opportunity at 10.

“Stephen is disappointed, and obviously so, but he is the ultimate professional and he will be extremely positive towards the squad and towards James playing at 10.”

Gatland will choose two from three back-five forwards – Rob McCusker, Andy Powell and Jonathan Thomas – on the bench after fitness checks tomorrow, while there is a confirmed place among the substitutes for Sale scrum-half Dwayne Peel.

“For us, it’s about building on the wins against Scotland and Italy, creating that momentum and having a good performance at home. I think our fans deserve a good performance from us,” added Gatland, who will break Alan Davies’ Wales coaching record of 35 Tests in charge this weekend.

“This is a crucial game for us, as a win will keep us in the Championship mix and take us into that final round with everything still to play for.

“But it is also a big game for Ireland, who are in a similar position to us going into this match.”

Gatland, meanwhile, played down the significance of Ireland’s remarkable record in Cardiff, having lost just once from 12 visits since 1983.

“We haven’t spoken about it, and I am sure the Irish haven’t spoken about it. We just know it is going to be a really tough game,” he said. “Having coached here a couple of times with Ireland and had victories, I just see the away thing as not something you really focus too much on.”